Karim Khan disqualification has little effect on Duterte’s ICC case — lawyer

The disqualification of International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan will barely affect the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte, ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti said Wednesday. 

“Sa pag-usad ng kaso mismo, tingin namin maliit na lang ‘yung epekto nito dahil wala naman nang ginagawa sa ngayon si Karim Khan doon sa kaso,” Conti told Super Radyo dzBB.

(In the progress of the case itself, we think its impact is now minimal because Karim Khan is no longer taking any action on the case.)

She said that Khan already stepped aside in May due to a UN inquiry into his alleged sexual misconduct.

“Kaya May pa lang naipasa na, kumbaga, ‘yung lead ng prosecution kay Mame Niang,” Conti said.

(That’s why as early as May, the lead of the prosecution was, so to speak, handed over to Mame Niang.)

According to a copy of a decision seen by Reuters, the ICC appeals judges disqualified Khan from Duterte’s case due to possible conflict of interest over the petition of Duterte’s defense team.

In August, Duterte's defense argued that Khan’s involvement in communications to the court from victims of Duterte's war on drugs was a conflict of interest.

Conti, meanwhile, said that the decision has yet to be made public by the ICC.

The ICC Prosecutor has charged Duterte with murder and frustrated murder over 49 incidents in his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and as President of the Philippines.

His confirmation of charges  hearing, initially scheduled on September 23, has been postponed.

According to Conti, there was a “very slim” chance that this may proceed in November or early December.

“October na, sunod na niyan November. May recess ‘yung court. There’s a very slim chance, very, very slim, that the confirmation of charges hearing will proceed in November, early December,” she said.

(It’s already October, and next comes November. The court will go on recess. There’s a very slim chance, very, very slim, that the confirmation of charges hearing will proceed in November or early December.)

“Pero ‘yung more realistic would be 2026 na (But the more realistic timeline would be in 2026),” she added. —AOL, GMA Integrated News